Colours
Distinguishing features
It has a black cap, strong bill and a short, forked tail.
The breeding plumage is a darkish grey above and below. The summer adult has white cheeks and red legs and bill.
In winter, the forehead becomes white and the body plumage a much paler grey.
The crown is flecked with white in the juvenile, and the hindcrown is more uniformly blackish, though in the winter adult this too is flecked with white. In the juvenile, the mantle has a variegated pattern whereas it is a silvery grey in adults. (Wikipedia)
Size
- From 23 cm to 25 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- From 74 cm to 78 cm
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution: Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias (Chlidonias) hybrida)
Distribution and habitat preferences
It breeds in warmer parts of Europe and Asia. The smaller-billed and darker subspecies (C.H. delalandii) is found in east and south Africa, and the paler subspecies (C. h. javanicus) from Java to Australia.
The tropical forms are resident, but European and Asian birds winter south to Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. (Wikipedia)
Diet
It eats small fish, amphibians, insects and crustaceans. (Wikipedia)
Web resources
References
- Simpson, K., N. Day and P. Trusler (2004). Field Guide to Birds of Australia: 7th Edition Penguin Group (Australia), Camberwell, Victoria.